PS 

35/3 

A6L4 




THE 
LEGEND 
OF 
LAI- 
CHOW 



By 

ANNIE 
B. 

GAY 
GASTON 




Class i_iJ-S-Llr 



Book, -dlf^ 



Gop>iiglit>:i 



^ i 



COPXJUGHT DEPOSiai 



THE LEGEND OF LAI-CHOW 




Image of Dru-Iaw-yieh 



THE LEGEND OF 
LAI-CHOW 



BY 

ANNIE B. GAY GASTON 



Illustrated by 

Mr. LIU 
Artist of Lai- chow 



New York Chicago Toronto 

Fleming H. Revell Company 

London and Edinburgh 



Copyright, 19 1 6, by 
FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY 



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''V^,<. 



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New York : 158 Fifth Avenue 
Chicago: 17 North Wabash Ave. 
Toronto: 25 Richmond Street, W. 
London : 21 Paternoster Square 
Edinburgh : 100 Princes Street 

OCT 15 1916 



•CI.A44517G 



DEDICATED 

TO 

MY MOTHER 



FOREWORD 

DURING seven years' residence at Lai- 
chow, in the province of Shantung, 
North China, I often heard The 
Legend of Lai-chow told by Chinese preachers 
and Bible women, in their native tongue, as an 
illustration of Christ's giving his life a ransom 
for His people. I wrote the story out in Eng- 
lish prose, but was persuaded by friends that 
its metrical quality justified publication in 
the present form. 

My work in China is interpreting to the 
Chinese the love of God and of American 
Christianity, through hospital service. 

My hope is that this story of unselfish devo- 
tion to duty on the part of a Chinese, will show 
to the Western World the high qualities and 
noble characteristics which are to be found in 
this ancient people. 

Mrs. James M'Fadden Gaston., 



THE LEGEND OF LAI-CHOW 

Would you hear an old, old story 
From the lore of far Shantung-land? 

Ere the ^Manchu ruled in China — 
Late the ^Mings were come to Peking — 
From the North there came rude Red Beards, 
Wielding mighty sabre handles. 

Stemming tide and wind and water, 
Their rough barges brought them onward 
Till they dropt their iron anchors, 
By the shores of old Dung-jo. 

What their errand? what their mission? 
Only gain of gold would sate them; 
Given this, they wanted naught else, 
And would pass, with blade still sheathed. 

^ Manchu — The last dynasty ruling in China, 1644- 
1912. 

"^Ming — Dynasty preceding the Manchu, 1368-1644. 

9 



THe Legend of Lai-cKo-w 

Tlien quick flew the word of warning; 
Straight the city merchants gathered, 
Piled their gold up high before them, 
Saying, "Take this, leave us peaceful." 

Now the man who led the warriors 

Was called Kong, from childhood, "Yio Dei." 

Naught of fear or faltering knew he. 

And his soldiers followed, faithful. 

Satisfied with gold they came on, 

And old Dung- jo breathed more freely, 

Offered up her fires of incense, 

And returned to peace and quiet. 

Coming over rugged mountains, 
Camping by an humble village, 
Here there happened that dread something 
Which wrought lasting woe and sorrow. 

Fowl meat for a soldier's supper, — 
What a small thing, what a trifle ! 
But it was a stolen chicken. 
Aye, it was the ^Gwan's own pullet. 

* Gwan — Magistrate. 
10 







5^ 



S u 



tL 



TKe Legend of Lai-cKo-w 

So the Gwan said, "Blood there must be," 
And brave Kong said, "Ay, it must be." 
Not for strife he made this journey. 
Only for the lure of money, 
Taking large things, loads of lucre. 
Not a small thing like a chicken. 

He who did the petty looting 
Must give life in forfeit for It; 
So 'twas ruled, and so 'twas given — 
Still the Gwan was not appeased. 

Mighty Kong must come before him, 
Bow to earth and beg his pardon. 
And his soldiers with him, likewise. 
All must 'eat this bitter business.' 

Thus they did, but sorely suffered, — 
Filthy water in their faces, 
Flung by women of the ^Yahmen ! — 
"Now Indeed," they vowed, "this endeth 
The amends that we shall make him." 

* Yahmen — Court. 
II 



TKe Legend of Lai-cKo"w 

Fierce they quarreled, and the Hfe blood 
Of great Kong himself must pay them, 
If he led them not to conquer 
All these petty Gwans before them. 

What else could he ? — So 'twas settled 
To the ^Foo-town he must lead them, 
There redress of wrong to win them. 
So they traveled, and they traveled, 
Till they reached the court town Lai-chow. 
Walled about she stood before them, 
Strong to battle, hard to conquer, 
Holding here a court of justice 
For the laws of Lai-chow-fu-land. 

Then great Kong bethought him quickly, 
"Here a friend I have, old Dru-yieh; 
We together were in childhood, 
He will help me now to settle 
This most trying situation. 

"He the Gwan here, ruling wisely. 
Father of a quiet people, 

1 Foo — Pref ectural. 
12 

f 



TKe Legend, of Lai-cKo'w 

He will help me quell the spirit 
Of my angry Red Beard Soldiers." 

Out came Dru-yieh prompt to meet him, 
Followed by his ^yah-ye troopers, 
Quick to offer eastern welcome 
To the guests from northland coming. 

In the Yahmen courtyard crowding, 
Soon was spread a Foo-Gwan's feast, 
Plenty for the gallant captain, 
Plenty for his band of followers. 

Long they, friendly, talked together, 
Drank their wine and ate their 'good food,' 
Till the purpose of this coming 
Must at last be set forth plainly. 

"For an insult by the roadside 
My bold men must have their redress, 
Naught but ^kahtow from your city 
Will suffice," said Kong the mighty. 

* Yah-ye — Court-followers. 
^Kahtow — Chinese obeisance. 

13 



THe Le^encl of Lai-cKo"w 

Then said Dru-yieh, "Back to Dung- jo 
You should lead your angry soldiers ; 
You were near to that Foo city, 
And were far away from Lai-chow 
When the insult foul was given." 

(Now old Dru-yieh well remembered 
How this village under question 
Oft made trouble on the border. 
Standing near the line of boundary 
'Twixt his district and the Dung-jo, 
Many a problem had arisen 
As to court of justice proper 
For the settling of its quarrels. 
For the meting out of justice 
To the simple country people.). 

"Good," said Kong Yio, very willing 
To ward off the evil business 
From his friend and former playmate. 
"Good," his men said. They remembered 
Gold in plenty at old Dung-jo ; 
So they traveled, and they traveled 
All the way to ancient Dung- jo. 
14 



TKe Legend of Lai-cKo-w 

Quick bethought him wise old Dru-yieh, 
"They are gone, but they will come back; 
I must ready be to meet them; 
I must save my city's children." 

Swift the couriers flew to Peking; 
Horse on horse relaying hourly, 
Man to man transmitting message, 
From a sundown to a sundown, 
Weary li they rode a thousand. 

Back the message from the ^Hwang-shang ; 
"I've no soldiers for your city. 
Use your wits and save your people 
From this band of northern robbers." 

Then great Dru-yieh sore was troubled; 
Well he knew the matter vexing 
Ne'er in Dung-jo would be settled. 
Well he knew their second coming 
Would be hot in wrath upon him 
For the trick that he had played them. 

* Emperor. 

IS 



XKe Legend of Lai-cHo-w 

Up he called the city's people, 

Told them straight the situation, 

Said 'twas vain to stand against them — 

Those same men of wrath and anger. 

Naught but his own blood would answer. 

Bitter wailed his people round him ; 
Well they loved him, loth to lose him. 
Eager sought some other measure. 
For the saving of their lives. 

Strong they fortified the city, 
Mending wall in every crevice, 
Mounting guns on every turret, 
Waiting for the host returning. 

'Twas late spring-time when they saw them, 
Marching down the road from Whang-shien. 
More their number; mightier were they; 
And their hearts were full of blood-shed, 
For the trick that had been played them. 

Fair the country was, and fertile. 
Full of bloom and cherry blossom, 
i6 



TKe Legend of L-ai-cHo-w 

Wheat fields stretching, stretching smoothly, 
Like the swelling of the ocean. 

And the villages among them 
Spoke of quiet peace and plenty, 
Not of hard and minted money. 
But of gold that grows from sunshine. 
With the jewels of the morning, 
And the pearls of eventide. 
Round the city lay the great moat. 
Dry in spring-time, full in summer. 
'Twere a deadly dare to cross it 
When the wall was manned so strongly. 

By the city's deep, cool shadow, 
Lay the lotus ponds in stillness. 
There the blossoms fair and pink-lipped — 
See them, shell-shaped, golden-hearted, 
Standing thus in queen-like beauty, 
Tall and glorious, chaste and noble, 
With a court of buds, a-bending, 
Blushing, curtsying, all around them. 
At their feet the broad, green leaf trays, 
As if waiting there to serve them. 
17 



XHe Legend of Lai-cKo"w 



Would that we, O lotus flowers, 
Might once catch and keep forever 
All the myth and all the mystery, 
All the eastern charm and glory. 
That your beauty and your fragrance 
Have been shedding down the ages. 
In this ancient land of China, 
Here where man has long forgotten 
And forsaken his Creator, 
Bowing down in sinful worship, 
Year by year you've come back always, 
In the golden summer sunshine. 
And have beckoned and have lifted, 
Yet a little toward the blue, 
Toward the Heavenly Father's mercy, 
Toward all purity and goodness. 

Hushed the sounds of home and farm-side, 
For a scourge was on the people. 
Scourge of war, with siege impending. 
And no aid from outside coming. 

Some took refuge in the city; 
Some from city flew to village; 
i8 




u 



TKe Legend of Lai-cKo-w 

Many scattered to the mountains, 
There in caves to hide away. 

Five long months they thus were harassed ; 
Summer heat and sickness slew them, 
Crops were ruined, cattle famished, 
And the end was near to see. 

Sadly sat the good old Dru-yieh, 
In his Yah-men court secluded, 
Thinking, thinking, ever thinking. 
Of the end that was to be. 

Of his people — yea, he loved them, 
Through these tortured months of waiting 
They had closer drawn unto him. 
They had proved their simple trusting. 

Of his boy — ah! there the hurt was; 
In his old age this one only 
Had been given to build his hope on, 
This his heart's great pride and treasure. 
19 



THe Legend of L-ai-cKo-w 

Now to leave him and his mother 
Far from home and unprotected, 
Or to see them, helpless, suffer 
At the hands of cruel robbers! 

She, a lady gently nurtured 

In a sunny southern province. 

He, a boy of thirteen summers, 

Lithe of form, with black eyes piercing, 

Learning, ever learning, wisdom 

Far beyond his tale of years. 

Soft a step unto him coming — 
And a Yah-ye down before him, 
Prone upon the ground, uplifted 
Letters, from the outside, sent in. 

"This must end," great Kong had written. 
"Longer now I cannot hold them. 
Seventh day of seventh moon this; 
All this business must be finished. 
Either your blood, or the people's." 

20 



The Legend of Lai-cKo-w 

"Mine," old Dru-yieh cried, upstarting, 
"Mine shall be the ransom given, 
Of my people and my boy. 

"Call my penman, call him quickly. — 
Ah ! sit here, and straitly write them : 
Trice of peace shall now be paid you. 
When the temple bell is ringing 
For the third hour after midnight. 
At the south gate, on the wall top, 
Watch for men with ropes of hemp-weed. 
There we'll pay the city's ransom — 
Only you must straitly bind you, 
That, the price once fully given, 
Hair of head, nor little finger 
Of my people shall be wounded.' " 

Straight the message, quick the answer, 
Swearing by departed spirits. 
Not to harm the city's people. 
When the ransom had been paid. 

Now good Dru-yieh must make ready : 
Calling out a trusted yah-ye, 

21 



TKe L-e^end of Lai-cKo-w 



"When the morning comes," he faltered, 
"I shall not be here to tell you 
All that I would have you tell him — 
Ilim in yonder room a-sleeping." 

Long they talked, the servant weeping, — 
Past the first bell and the second. 
Then old Dru-yieh, slowly stooping, 
Passed within the doorway, bending 
By the kong where lay his Tong-lin, 
Sleeping — moonbeams all about him. 

"I am robbing him of father," 
Said the old man, "but I give him, 
What is better, life and loving, 
And a spotless, noble lineage. 
And a deed of simple duty 
As a model for his living." 

Out he went and called his yah-ye, 
"Come, my men, there's work to do now. 
Bring your ropes of hemp-weed twisted — 
Follow wheresoe'er I lead you." 

22 



XKe Legend of Lai-cKo"W 

Through the quiet street, deserted 
By a people crushed and hopeless, 
To the south gate straight he led them, 
Up the long stairway he led them. 
Step by step, unfaltering, dauntless. 
Till they reached the top and waited. 
Breath to gain, and looked about them. 

At their feet the robbers gathered, 
Waiting like a flock of vultures. 
Black, uncanny, full of hatred, 
Moving in and out the shadows. 

Out across the plains and mountains 
Lay the moonlight, bright as daytime. 
And the moon looked down amazed 
At this deed of love and hatred. 

Then good Dru-yieh took the rope-ends. 
Tied them round his waist and arm-pits, 
While his men began to question, 
"What?" and "Why thus?" "No,— we will 

not." 
But he hushed them — "Steady now, men; 

23 



TKe Legend of Lai-cKo"w 

Brace your feet within the rock-cleft; 
Wait ! — the bell — it soon must call us 
All to worship for the full moon — 
Worship now for Earth and Heaven." 

Softly, quivering down the mountains, 
Came the first stroke and the second. — 
Ah! what alchemy could make it? 
Where the wizard that could mold It? 
Whose the soul outspeaking through it? 
Moan of wood doves, song of south wind, 
Lovers' sighs and maidens' singing. 
All are melted and are mingled 
In the bells of Daw-seh-goo. 

When were made these bronze bells, ancient? 
"When? Who knows?" the dullard answers; 
But a scholar, turning backward 
On the yellow page of time. 
Runs his finger on the margin : 
" 'Twas when Mau-Gwei ruled, the bloody, 
Sending here to slay our strong men. 
Till from out all Lai-chow- fu-land, 
Only seven names were left. 
24 




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XKe Legend of Lai-cKo-w 

i~»ri I - - - - I - I 

"Long before proud Jung-tzu, Hwang-shang, 
Up from Nanking came to Peking, 
There to set his court in power, 
There to rule the Middle Kingdom.' " 

Hai ! These names, all strange, unmeaning, 
Tell us not the thing we asked you ; 
Count the years and we can measure 
By some other date familiar. 

"Years? Ay, by the years you may know; 

All the months and all the moon feasts 

Of the centuries down enfolding 

Have been added, and are adding, 

To the ^lai-li of our land 

By the bronzed bells yonder hanging." 

So we measure hack in history. 
'Twas before the New World opened, 
E'en before the Crusade marches ; 
Was't when Alfred blessed the Briton? 
Was it then this bell was fashioned? 

* Lai-li — History. 
25 



THe Legendi of Lai-cHo-w 

"Hai! man, even then 'twas ancient; 
For the temple then a-building, 
It was brought from some far temple, 
And its date, by Time's hard finger. 
Has been worn beyond restoring." 

So our quest is still unfruitful, 
And our question yet unanswered. 

But the bells have ceased a-ringing. 
As their last sob trembled downward. 
Quick the move and hard the breathing. 
As the men resisted, striving 
To keep back the work of love. 

Shut your eyes, you would not see it, — * 
Not that deadly deed of hatred. 
Slack the rope is — ay, 'tis lightened — > 
Back they draw it to the turret — 
Stand aghast to see it carries 
The right arm of Dru-law-yieh ! 

Sickening, see, the pale moon shivers, 
Draws a cloud across her white face, 
26 



TKe L.e^encl of Lai-cKo-w 



From the sight she would not witness, 
From the fiendish deed then done. 

Day-hght dawns; the moon, down slipping, 
Slumbers in the western sea. 

Murderers now, the deed accomplished, 
All have scattered, fled for Dung-jo, 
To take shipping for the northland. 
There to hide their darksome crime. 

Wide the city gates flew open; 
Men out-hasting to their home towns. 
In poured crowds of curious gazers. 
Trade, upspringing, cried its bread-stuffs. 
Now was feeding for the hungry; 
Now was courage for the faint-heart. 
Siege days over, hope of living 
Sprang again in every bosom. 

But the thing that sorely grieved them 
Was the loss of brave old Dru-yieh. 
He for them had paid the ransom. 
Given his life to buy them living. 
27 



THe Legend of Lai-cKo"w 



Straight the men of Lai-chow gathered, 
Sent a message to the palace, 
To the king in Peking dwelling, 
Telling of the deed of love. 
"Now we have no City Father — 
Send us, pray we, one to rule us, 
One to love us like our Dru-yieh." 

Back the answer : "Such I have not, 
But a Foo-Gwan I will send you. 
He has orders first to honor 
Him who went before him, Dru-yieh. 
Build a temple, make an image — 
For its arm, the arm of Dru-yieh, 
E'en the arm that saved your city. 
And adown the ages running, 
Tell your children, tell them always, 
Of the one who saved your city; 
Thus his name may never perish. 
For the son — I take him henceforth. 
At the ^left hand of my power; 
And the widow shall be cared for 
As befits a hero's memory." 

^Left hand — Place of honor. 
28 




H-) 



H 



THe Legend of Lai-cKo"w 

So they builded up a temple, 
Stone on stone to do him honor — 
Him who won it by his life-blood, 
Even noble Dru-law-yieh. 

Fair pagoda roof uprising, 
Tiled and tinted, curved and graceful, 
Called all men to come and worship 
At the shrine of Dru-law-yieh. 

4e 3k 4: 4: * 

Times are changed. The Mings are sleeping 
In their famous gilded tombs. 
Manchu hands have ruled old China 
For two hundred years and more. 

Fair- faced men are coming, coming, 
And are knocking for admittance. 
"Not like ^Han-men — not like ^Eben, 
What their mission? Why their coming? 
Is it trade that they are wanting, 
Or the conquest of our country?" 

"^Han-men — Native Chinese. 
* Ehen — Japanese. 
29 



THe Legend of Lai-cKo-w 

Word flew all about in Lai-chow : 
"He is here — the dread outsider! 
He has come to build a castle 
On the border of our town!" 

Women fainted, water-hearted, 
At the thought of dire disaster 
And the ruin of the country 
That would follow in his train. 

Then they waited for the dread thing ; 
But it came not, for the fair man 
Went among them, and a woman 
Walked beside him, fairer still. 

Laughing children followed, closely, 
Hands as white as cherry blossoms, 
Cheeks like rosy, ripe pomegranates, 
Sunny curls about them blowing. 

Daily moved the man among them; 
All his ways were kind and gentle ; 
In his smile was friendship's greeting. - 
"Listen now, he speaks our language !"- 
30 



TKe Legend of Lai-cHo-w 

"And we hear him saying 'brother.' " 
"For the sick he has a potion, 
Wonderful to cure their suffering; 
And he stoops to wash our bodies, 
From their sores of sin and shame." 

"By his side, there is no sword blade. 

But a Book he carries always ; 

And he says if we will listen 

He will tell us a new story. 

Of The Man who came to save." 

"New ?" — "Yes, new ; yet old it must be, 

For 'tis like our city's legend. 

Well we understand the meaning 

Of the one who came to save, 

Giving his life-blood a ransom 

For all those who trust his power." 

Thus it comes that Yieh-hyen people, 
All about the city Lai-chow, 
One by one are turning, many. 
To the One who came to save. 
31 



XKe Legend of Lai-cHo-w 

In their Christian churches, often, 
Still is told the old, old story 
Of the man who saved their city — 
Fitting type of Him they trust in 
For the saving of their souls. 



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